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10

Jun

Burundi: Intensifying Violence; Crackdown on Media and Civil Society
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Crisis Action is playing a coordinating role behind the scenes and should not be cited in any media articles.

 

This briefing was developed from conversations with civil society activists and journalists working in Burundi. It includes anonymous testimonials from local sources and quotes from international NGO representatives.

The announcement on April 25 2015 by Burundi’s ruling party, the National Council for the Defense of Democracy-Forces for the Defense of Democracy (CNDD-FDD), that President Pierre Nkurunziza would be its candidate for June’s Presidential elections triggered widespread demonstrations. Thousands of Burundians took to the streets to protest what they considered to be a violation of the Burundi’s constitution and the Arusha Accords, which have been the foundation for peace in Burundi over the last decade.

The government responded to the protests by cracking down on activists, journalists, demonstrators and opposition leaders. The police fired live bullets into crowds of protesters, killing at least 30 people, and detained hundreds of demonstrators. The government shut down radio stations and placed severe constraints on internet and social media use.

Since a failed coup attempt on 13 May, protests against outgoing President Pierre Nkunrunziza’s bid for a third term have continued. Violence has intensified in Bujumbura and repression of civil society, journalists and opposition members, led by individuals and groups close to the presidency and the ruling party.

Crackdown on Media and Civil Society Organizations

  • Journalists, bloggers and opposition activists have been threatened and targeted by the police, the intelligence services, and members of the CNDD- FDD party’s youth wing – known as the Imbonerakure.
  • The main private radio stations – Radio Renaissance, Radio Bonesha, RPA, Radio Isanganiro, and even Radio Rema (reportedly close to the government), have come under attack. Their offices have been heavily damaged, it is not possible to freely enter the offices, and most of their material was destroyed.
  • On May 17th the Burundian presidency stated that the independence of the media had to be guaranteed, and that any attack against the media was unacceptable. However no concrete steps have been taken to enable private radios to start emitting again, with guarantees of security and of independence.
  • Many staff from independent media organizations have already fled to neighboring countries, while those who stayed fear for their security if they continue to do their jobs.
  • The Burundian government has equated civil society groups, opposition leaders and protestors to the putschists that plotted to overthrow the government.

 

“As an activist active on social media, I cannot sleep at my house any more, I cannot even stay there anymore. If I continue to work the way I did before, I risk death (…)

The Imbonerakure have weapons and their verbal assaults spread terror. They say, for example: if you don’t vote for the party, we will slit your throats. They sometimes wear police uniforms, sometimes the t-shirts of the ruling party.” – Media analyst and blogger in Bujumbura

“I was personally assaulted three times. The first time, I was verbally assaulted, along with my team, by Imbonerakure bearing sticks and clubs. The second time, they broke my equipment. The third time, in the city center, a police officer hit me twice and told me: “if you don’t leave the area, I will shoot you down.” (…)

The slogan of the Imbonerakure, which has even became a song, is “we are going to wring you out” [tuzobamesa]. When they sing this song, they most often burst a balloon with a needle, to imitate the noise of a gun. They call the people who do not follow their group “Ivyitso”, literally ‘the enemies’, ‘those who are against us.’” – Journalist working for a radio station burned down after the coup attempt Crisis Action is playing a coordinating role behind the scenes and should not be cited in any media articles.

 

Reactions of International Human Rights Group and NGOs

Cléa Kahn-Sriber, Head of the Africa Desk, Reporters Without Borders: “A war of information is being played out in Burundi. Reporters without Borders calls on the Burundian authorities to provide credible guarantees for the protection of journalists and the reopening of what remains of private media. Returning to free and pluralist information is essential to avoid disinformation and de-escalate rumors which only fuel conflict. Legitimate elections wouldn’t be conceivable unless media outlets can work without restriction and journalists can report and inform the population freely.”

Thierry Vircoulon, Project Director for Central Africa at International Crisis Group: “The international community has invested so much in negotiating and implementing the Arusha agreement. If Burundi returns to conflict, it will be a terrible blow for the region but also for the credibility of all peacebuilding processes in the world. It will send the message that peacebuilding is just a waste of time and money.”

Florent Geel, Africa Director, FIDH: “To avoid an explosion in Burundi, the government must give guarantees for inclusive, credible, transparent and peaceful elections: stop the repression and neutralize the Imbonerakure militias, ensure the free participation of opposition parties to the electoral process and guarantee the freedom of press and the freedom of action to the civil society. The forced passage of President Nkurunziza to assume a 3rd term must not endanger the young Burundian democracy .”

Dr. Simon Adams, Executive Director, Global Centre for the Responsibility to Protect: “All actors should coordinate their response to the situation in Burundi and place the need to avoid recurring conflict and prevent the commission of mass atrocity crimes at the center of their engagement. All paramilitary groups and militias, including the Imbonerakure – the youth wing of the ruling CNDD-FDD party – should be immediately demobilized and disbanded as an important confidence-building measure.”

Daniel Bekele, Africa director, Human Rights Watch: “The Burundian authorities should call a halt to the crackdown on peaceful opponents and critics. They should order the police to stop using excessive deadly force, investigate the deaths and beatings of protesters at the hands of police, and hold those responsible for excessive force to account.”

Sarah Jackson, Deputy Regional Director for East Africa, Amnesty International: “Restraint is needed on all sides in Burundi, but it is the government that has responsibility for ensuring the basic freedoms of expression, association and peaceful assembly. Regional and international bodies – particularly the East African Community, the African Union and the United Nations – must be united in insisting upon these basic human rights.”

Samuel Pommeret, Great Lakes Desk Officer, CCFD-Terre Solidaire: “Since 2010, and particularly since last year, civil society activists and CNDD-FDD opponents have been subject to political violence. The administration, the police and young CNDD-FDD militants belonging to the Imbonerakure league threaten anyone acting in favor of civic education, peace or social cohesion in Burundi. The manipulation of these youth should end, and the most radical factions should be monitored and disarmed, in order to secure the rights of freedom of expression and peaceful assembly. Burundian authorities should open solid channels for democratic dialogue so that all Burundians can exercise their civil and political rights without fear of reprisals.”

Francois Wongue, Country Director, War Child Holland: We are increasingly concerned by intensifying violence in Burundi, which has had severe consequences for civilians, including Burundi’s children. We call on the Burundian authorities, the leaders of the street protests as well as the international community, to work to end this violence and ensure that children’s rights, and access to vital resources, are restored and upheld. As part of this, we urge the Burundian government not to pull funding from the country’s education budget to replace withdrawn international funding for elections

For interviews with representatives from NGOs, please contact: